Nigerian universities go off-grid with solar PV, storage mini-grids
Four of Nigeria’s federal universities and university teaching hospitals across the country have signed EPC contracts to develop mini-grid solutions, which will power their facilities and disconnect them from the main electricity grid. A total of 9.3 MW of PV and 5,760 battery cells will be deployed.
SouthPole Consulting plans 125 MW solar plant in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls
The IPP project is being conceived mainly for self-consumption, although its developers have not excluded selling some of the generated power to a nearby industrial district.
United Nations backs solar powered irrigation
A new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization outlines the benefits of solar powered irrigation systems to both large and small scale farming operations in developing countries. The report also stresses the need for comprehensive management and regulation of such systems, to avoid unsustainable water use.
World Bank Group offers $18 million guarantee to PV projects in Namibia
World Bank Group has announced that, through its subsidiary Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), it will provide up to US$18 million in support of two 5 MW PV power plants to be constructed in Namibia.
BBOXX leads on £2.5m crowdfunding scheme to bring affordable PV to Rwanda, Togo and Nigeria
In partnership with online investment platform Lendahand Ethex, British off-grid power specialist BBOXX will seek to raise £2.5 million via a series of retail focused investment offers to garner funds for the roll out of its solar systems in a handful of African countries.
Africa announces utility-scale floating solar tender
What has been termed the continent’s first utility-scale floating solar PV tender has been announced. Bids are being invited to install a 4 MW plant in the Seychelles.
Engie wins Senegal’s 60 MW PV tender with bids under €0.040/kWh
The French energy giant will now build a solar PV power plant in Tauba, central Senegal, which will sell power at €0.0380 per kWh, while a second plant selling electricity at €0.0398 per kWh will be constructed in Kahone.
South Africa finally signs 27 outstanding renewable PPAs
South Africa’s utility-scale solar industry is finally back on track following the signing of 27 renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Guinea Bissau plans its first big solar-plus-storage project
A solar power plant with a capacity of between 20 and 30 MW is currently being planned with the support of the World Bank, which is now seeking consultants to carry out a feasibility study for the project.
Solar Show Africa: Financing remains key bottleneck
Financing is the main bottleneck in the African solar industry, while private sector support is key for the deployment of PV projects. High quality products and solutions are also a focus. This is what came out of the recent Solar Show Africa event, held last week in Johannesburg.
